July 31, 2022
San Diego Padres — The Padres will give Taylor Rogers a break from closing and go with a committee to replace him. Luis Garcia should be in the mix for saves along with Nick Martinez, who was recently placed on the paternity list, Nabil Crismatt, and lefty Adrian Morejon, who has some impressive stuff. We will see if the Padres trade for a closer at the deadline or if Rogers can work his way back to the closer’s role.
Updated hierarchy: Garcia | Martinez | Crismatt.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — Brett Martin struggled again yesterday as he blew the save in the 8th inning and took his 7th loss of the season. Martin has now given up seven runs in his last four appearances. Meanwhile, fellow lefty Matt Moore has only given up one earned run since June 4th and his ERA is down to 1.66 on the season. We will move Moore to the top of the committee for now and see how things play out. Also, Joe Barlow will start a rehab assignment today and could be back next week.
Updated hierarchy: *Moore | Burke | Martin.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks struck out a paid in a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his second save of the season and second save in his last two appearances. Jason Adam and Colin Poche each pitched a scoreless inning ahead of Fairbanks. This is the Rays we are talking about so it’s nearly impossible to predict the next save but two saves in a row at least gets you on the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Poche | Adam | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — After a couple of 8th inning appearances, Paul Sewald was back in the 9th inning yesterday and he pitched a scoreless inning for his 13th save of the season. Sewald was settling into the closer’s role before the change in usage over the past week but fantasy owners will hope yesterday’s save is a sign of things to come.
Hierarchy remains: *Sewald | Swanson | Festa.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – For the second straight appearance, Clarke Schmidt threw the final three innings of a lopsided Yankee’s victory to earn the save. Schmidt is mostly a multi-inning reliever so we aren’t ready to move him to the hierarchy yet.
Hierarchy remains: Holmes | Peralta | Luetge
San Francisco Giants — Camilo Doval got the day off yesterday as the Vulture Save Watch predicted and Dominic Leone picked up his third save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Doval | Leone | Brebbia.
Atlanta Braves — Kenley Jansen was unavailable yesterday after he tweaked his back on Friday. It is not considered serious but we will keep an eye on this in case Jansen is forced to go on the IL.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Minter | Smith.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Hector Neris (HOU) – Ryan Pressly and Rafael Montero have both pitched in two of three, with Pressly throwing 40 pitches over that time and Montero throwing 24 pitches yesterday.
2. AJ Minter (ATL) – Kenley Jansen may need another day off after tweaking his back on Friday.
Monday
1. Dominic Leone/John Brebbia (SF) – If Camilo Doval pitches on Sunday, it will be three of four.